Here are the weekly college QB rankings, and players the Houston Texans could draft in 2022.
Going into Week 3 multiple quarterbacks were looking to follow up their strong performances from Week 2 with another strong performance solidifying their position in the Top 5.
After a promising second week of college football, the quarterbacks left Houston Texans fans slightly more optimistic about the possibility that the next franchise guy might be coming up in the 2022 NFL Draft to fill the hole left behind by Deshaun Watson.
Following a Week 3 where some quarterbacks played well, most struggled to build off their previous week performances. Few quarterbacks made their case to be on this list following the third week of games, including the ones from last week’s list.
With the increasing likelihood, the Houston Texans will look to go quarterback high in the first round, possibly early in the second round of the ’22 NFL Draft if they decide to go defense high in the first round.
Look for the Houston Texans to strongly consider all five of these quarterbacks in the first two rounds in the draft as they attempt to find their next franchise quarterback. Here are the top 5 quarterbacks whose draft stock rose with the Houston Texans from the third weekend of the college football season.
5. Desmond Ridder
There is a lot to like when it comes to the prospect of Desmond Ridder. From his physical gifts to the obvious knowledge of the game that Ridder possesses. The arm talent with Ridder is unquestioned whether it be letting loose downfield or putting some air on passes while dropping them in buckets.
While the numbers that Ridder put up in Week 3 won’t jump off the page, but the ability to lead a comeback on the road when things started badly for him shows his poise.
Ridder finished with a stat line of 20-of-36 while throwing for 210 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Ridder also rushed the football 10 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers don’t scream first round draft pick, so Ridder may not be taken in the first round. While having all the talent needed Ridder is an unfinished product.
If the right team takes Ridder with the ability to groom him in their system there is no doubt he can become a solid NFL starting quarterback.
Pro comparison: Colin Kaepernick is the player that makes the most sense. Strong arm and he has the ability to run. Like Kaepernick, Ridder struggles with accuracy and overthrowing his receivers.
4. Spencer Rattler
There was absolutely nothing about Spencer Rattler’s performance that screamed top quarterbacks in college football.
Against Nebraska this past Saturday, Rattler had a measly 24-of-34 performance while throwing for 214 yards and one touchdown. This was an all-time letdown performance following Rattler’s masterpiece of a performance in Week 2.
Quite honestly Rattler was the second best quarterback in this game to Nebraska Adrian Martinez who outplayed Rattler in every way. Needless to say, performances like this from Rattler will hurt his draft stock going forward.
The questions will start to rise about Rattler being a system quarterback which will be followed closely by the critics doubting his ability to translate to the NFL game. While Rattler’s has great talent , his decision making with up-and-down performances will continue to hinder him until he figures it out.
Pro Comparison: When at his best Rattler will remind people of a player such as Kyle Murray. The lower end of the spectrum would be a player like Jacoby Brissett.
3. Matt Corral
Matt Corral is a player who arguably could have made the list in the first two weeks. After his impressive showing against Tulane in Week 3 while playing in undesirable conditions, Corral makes his Top 5 debut.
There is so much to like about Corral starting with the fact that he plays in a pro-style system at Ole Miss making the eventual transition to the NFL slightly easier for Corral. After throwing for 281 yards and five touchdowns in Week 2, Corral came out in Week 3 against Tulane and put up another impressive stat line.
While throwing for 335 yards on 23-of-31 passing and three touchdowns. The most impressive part of that is being able to spin the ball like that in the elements. Corral also added 68 rushing yards on 13 attempts and four rushing touchdowns.
Corral became the first player in SEC history with three passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns in a single game with his performance against Tulane on Saturday.
Needless to say, if Corral can continue to play the way he has the last two weeks, not only will he solidify his position in the Top 5 looks for NFL scouts to start taking notice.
Pro comparison: Derek Carr is the player that comes to mind watch Corral play. Skills are very similar from a passing standpoint. Both players can beat a defense with their legs.
2. Malik Willis
Malik Willis is an absolute stud! His game is the complete package with the ability to continue to keep the defense guessing. Willis’ ability to run as impressive as it is isn’t nearly as impressive as his passing ability.
Willis finished with a stat line that coupled with his overall play and demeanor earned him the number two spot following Week 3. While being 21-of-28 on pass attempts Willis threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns. As impressive as that is, Willis added 77 yards rushing on nine attempts while rushing for two more touchdowns.
Willis’ ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him the definition of what a duel threat quarterback should look like. The ability to account for six touchdowns in a single game from the quarterback position is impressive especially when it’s done in multiple different ways.
Willis’ talent will translate to the NFL level making the team that drafts him immediately extremely hard to defend due to his ability to beat defenses with the deep ball, screen game, RPO, and direct quarterback run game. Willis screams future star whoever lands him in the draft will have their franchise guy.
Pro Comparison: Russell Wilson is the player that comes to mind while watching Malik Willis play. Lamar Jackson is also a name that comes to mind, but with Willis being a more sturdy-built player coupled with the overall game he possesses Wilson is the comparison that makes sense.
1. Sam Howell
Sam Howell is back ladies and gentlemen.
After struggling in Week 1 Howell looked more like himself in his Week 2 performance. Howell built on top of that performance with a fantastic performance against Virginia this past weekend.
While showing off the cannon of an arm that he possesses Howell also showed off his ability to run. While he may not be the runner of the football that Malik Willis is, Howell is sneaky athletic with the ability to make defenders miss while also keeping the defense honest in the way they line up against him.
Howell finished the night with a stat line of 14-of-21 while throwing for 307 yards and five touchdowns. While Howell did throw one interception it came on a ball where he should have thrown the ball to the outside and Howell threw it to the inside.
As soon as he let the ball go Howell knew the mistake he had made. Mistakes like that can be fixed and aren’t a major concern. Howell also rushed for 112 yards on 15 carries showing off his ability to be a dual-threat quarterback.
Games like these will continue to show why many believed before the season started that Sam Howell was the best quarterback in this class.
Pro comparison: Baker Mayfield is the only player that comes to mind. Their playing styles are almost identical.
Be sure to check back next week to see how the Top 5 shakes out following Week 4 of the college football season, and to see which QB’s the Houston Texans should be interested in.